Will Clemson be sacrificing the ACC at the alter of Howard's Rock this season? Eh, it could happen.
This is my Huffington Post‘ed’ recycling of a post earlier this year from my Sporting News fanblog with some repackaging and editing.
My piece on Virginia Tech got me thinking about Clemson this season. As far as I can see, Phil Steele is the only one of a select few picking them to win the Atlantic of the major media outlets. Today, let us examine how we were collectively a year ahead in our risky and creative pick of the Tigers last season(listed randomly as they came into my head).
1) New Coach and Scheme
Yes, we did see Coach Swinney for the last six games of the regular season + bowl game, but he took over mid-season. He is going to unveil a new scheme that utilizes the skill players that Clemson has. Dabo has went to Texas to study what Mack Brown is doing with his offense and Clemson could reap the benefits of that.
2) Lightning and More Lightning
The last couple years we have had Thunder and Lightning, but now we only have the visual element of the duo. I think C.J. Spiller is going to unleash this season with being the primary back for the Tigers. He has speed that almost no one can match, he is a lot stronger than people give him credit for, and he has a calm about him that aids in his preparation for games. I’m looking for him to be in the running for a trip to NY at the end of the regular season.
3) Defense Is Still a Strength
The defensive line will be the sickest in the ACC. The linebackers were young last year and now are experienced. The secondary could be reeling from losing its two starting safeties, but they return their top-of-the-line corners this season.
4) Atlantic Division Still Wide Open
The ACC Atlantic sent the whole division to postseason play and this season should not see a drop off. The winner of the division will probably have 2-3 losses by the end of the year in conference. In such a meat grinder, Clemson could take advantage of other’s misfortune as so many teams have at the Tigers’ expense the last few years.
5) Competition Breeds Winners
The QB competition between Will Korn and Kyle Parker and Tahj Boyd has been heated. They are all used to winning and being the man that the team looks to for leadership. Korn has still not recovered fully from last season’s injury according to reports and Parker has taken advantage. He is a great(edit: after his stretch of postseason, he’s good not great) baseball player and does not shy away from being the star. Boyd is looking to come in as a freshman and sit his colleagues on the bench for the rest of their careers at Clemson. When Kyle Parker starts the Middle Tennessee game, he will be playing for his job and that could spur him on to greatness(or something like that) as a QB.
I have them going 9-3 which is fairly positive in itself, but some like Phil Steele are saying this team still has the capability to take the ACC crown. I open the floor for sarcastic humiliation or kool-aid induced positivity for Clemson now…
I started at 9-3…but depth issues worry me..especially on the OL..you know the injuries are going to come, it’s just a matter of when and how bad…
The Atlantic is wide open as you mentioned…and we have FSU at home..those are good things…I think a lot depends on the Miami game if that makes sense…if we can win that one we have a chance…
I’m working on my ACC picks right now….
The o-line has seemed to have always the problem for Clemson this decade. Last season, the injuries were catastrophic to any kind of run for Clemson last season. This season, the depth is an issue again, but Clemson seems to be throwing everything at making a good o-line with two coaches dedicated to it.
For Miami, the Tigers win that and they are serious contenders for the ACC–I have them losing that game, but they have a chance. Thanks for stopping by, CUOrange.
No doubt depth is an issue. If you look at the depth chart released yesterday we have a former walk-on who was playing TE last week at second team LT. If Hairston gets hurt, deep trouble there….
I have them losing to Miami, too…course, Randy Shannon will never be confused with Knute Rockne, so we may pull that one out.